TREATMENT OF NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: RESISTANCE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT USING WEIGHTS?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dysfunction of the core muscles contributes to the persistence of pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Evidence shows that the active approach is beneficial in the rehabilitation of these patients. However, there is uncertainty as to the most effective methods or form of exercise, as the literature offers little guidance in this regard. Objective: To analyze and compare the impact on quality of life, function, flexibility, abdominal strength and abdominal fat rate in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain after a program of resistance training using two different forms of exercise. Methods: Thirty individuals, aged between 18 and 65 years, participated in the study. Twenty performed physical training program twice a week for eight weeks, and ten did not perform any physical exercises, but received guidance and pain relief. The physically active individuals were randomly divided in two groups and received similar resistance training, focusing on the same muscle groups. Ten performed training with dumbbells and bodybuilding machines (TRCP) and ten did not use this equipment (TRSP). All were assessed before and after the intervention, through questionnaires on quality of life and function, and tests for flexibility, abdominal strength and measurement of the abdominal fat rate. Results: In the intra-group comparison (initial vs eight weeks), there were no significant differences in quality of life in any of the groups. However, regarding function, the three groups showed significant improvement, with TRSP showing the best evolution. For flexibility and abdominal strength gain, TRCP showed the best evolution in both instruments. For decrease in abdominal fat rate, only TRCP showed significant differences. In the intergroup comparison, there were no significant differences for any of the evaluated outcomes. Conclusion: The two exercise programs were effective in improving function, flexibility and abdominal strength in patients with chronic, non-specific low back pain. However, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the outcomes in the comparison between groups. Level evidence II, Comparative prospective study.

Assessment of the influence of physical activity and screen time on somatic features and physical fitness in 6 to 7-year-old girls

Aim of the study is to assess the relationship between screen time, physical activity and physical fitness among girls 6–7 years-old. 21,528 girls aged 6 and 7 from Poland were assessed in terms of physical fitness. Arm strength, abdominal strength and explosive strength of the lower limbs were measured using the EUROFIT test. Basic somatic features were measured and BMI and WHtR indices were calculated. Spontaneous and organized physical activities as well screen time were assessed by the parents utilizing a questionnaire. The multiple logistic regression method was used to evaluate the influence of screen time and spontaneous physical activity on various components of physical fitness. Physically active (PA) girls (≥1h/day) and those who participated in additional physical activities (APA) during the week had significantly higher height, weight, and BMI (p<0.001), but not WHtR. They had a higher level of flexibility, explosive strength of the lower limbs and arm strength (p<0.001). With an increase in screen time, the BMI, WHtR increased significantly and explosive strength of the lower limbs, abdominal strength and arm strength were lower. Regression analysis showed that more frequent participation in extracurricular activities increased the values of BMI and WHtR in quartile 4 (Q4), and strength components: Q2–Q4 (p<0.05). Spontaneous physical activity was positively related to the values of BMI, WHtR (both: Q4; p<0.05), explosive force of lower limbs (Q3–Q4; p=0.001), and negatively related to arm strength (Q2; p=0.001). Screen time (≥2hrs/day) increased odds for higher BMI values (p<0.05). Each screen time category decreased the odds of achieving abdominal muscle strength related to the quartiles: Q2–Q4 (p<0.05), arm strength (Q4: p<0.05). ST (1 <2hrs/day) decreased arm strength (Q3; p= 0.045). Our research has shown that screen time-related sedentary behavior and physical activity affect overweight and obesity indices (especially BMI) and strength abilities. The observed associations more often affected girls with a higher level of fitness The results observed in girls aged 6-7 indicate a need for early intervention aimed at limiting time spent watching TV and computer use, as well as to encourage both spontaneous and organized physical activities.

Robotic walking for recovery of functional capacity in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury: A randomized pilot trial

Objective: Activity-based Training (ABT) represents the current standard of neurological rehabilitation. Robotic Locomotor Training (RLT) is an innovative technique that aims to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, however, its efficacy in SCI rehabilitation, particularly within a low-middle income setting, is currently unclear. The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a locomotor training program within XX, in terms of recruitment, attendance, drop-out rates and safety. Secondary aims were to determine the effects of RLT compared to ABT on functional capacity in people with chronic SCI. Design: Participants with chronic traumatic motor incomplete tetraplegia (n = 16) were recruited. Each intervention involved 60-minute sessions, 3x per week, over 24-weeks. RLT involved walking in the Ekso GTTM suit. ABT involved a combination of resistance, cardiovascular and weight-bearing exercise. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment rate, adherence rate, and adverse events. Validated tests were performed at baseline, 6, 12 and 24-weeks to assess the secondary outcomes of functional capacity. Results: Out of 110 individuals who expressed interest in participating in the study, 17 initiated the program (recruitment rate = 15.4 %). Of these, 16 individuals completed the program (drop-out rate = 5.8 %) and attended sessions (attendance rate = 93.9%). There were no significant differences between the intervention groups for lower or upper extremity motor scores (UEMS effect size (ES) = 0.09; LEMS ES = 0.05), back strength (ES = 0.14) and abdominal strength (ES = 0.13) after training. However, both groups showed a significant increase of 2.00 points in UEMS and a significant increase in abdominal strength from pre- to post intervention. Only the RLT group showed a significant change in LEMS, with a mean increase of 3.00 [0.00; 16.5] points over time. Distance walked in the Functional Ambulatory Inventory (SCI-FAI) increased significantly (p = 0.02) over time only for the RLT group. Conclusions: Recruitment, attrition and adherence rates of the intervention and outcomes justify a subsequent powered RCT comparing RLT to ABT as an effective rehabilitation tool for potentially improving functional strength and walking capacity in people with incomplete SCI.

Improving Physical Fitness of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through an Adapted Rhythmic Gymnastics Program in China

Background. Health-related physical fitness is vital for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to gain healthier lives. The adapted rhythmic gymnastics (ARG) program was designed for children with IDD and is aimed at testing the effects of the exercise program on children’s physical fitness. Methods. Participants were recruited from two special needs schools in Beijing of China. Twenty-two children with IDD were assigned to an ARG experimental group or a traditional control group. The experimental group took part in a 16-week ARG program consisting of three 50 min sessions each week. And children’s body composition, aerobic capacity, and musculoskeletal functioning were measured by the Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) before and after the program. Results. The between-group analysis revealed great improvements for the experimental group in abdominal strength (curl-up test: p=0.025<0.05) and upper limb strength (dumbbell press test: p=0.038<0.05). Compared to the pretest, most of the physical fitness parameters improved significantly in the experimental group except BMI, and flexibility of the experimental group children showed a substantial increase. Conclusions. Most of the physical fitness parameters of children with IDD in the experimental group improved significantly, especially on abdominal strength and upper limb muscle strength when comparing to the control group.

Effects of crochet technique associated with kinesiotherapy in patients with chronic low back pain

Background: The chronic low back pain (LBP) had been considered an important occupational disorder with several strategy available to treatment, however, few studies had been evaluated the treatment combination. Objectives: The aim of present study was compared the effects of combination of crocheting associated to Kinesiotherapy treatment and Kinesiotherapy isolated treatment on function of lumbar spine and pain during achievement of daily life in patients with chronic LBP. Methods: Forty subjects were distributed randomly in two groups: Crochetagem + Kinesioterapy (C; n: 18; 47.5 ± 7.75 years) and Kinesiotherapy (K, n: 18; 45.3 ± 8.93 years). The C group was treated by crocheting technique associated with kinesiotherapy using therapeutic ball. The K group performed a kinesiotherapy treatment using just a therapeutic ball. The following parameters were evaluated: abdominal strength, articular range motion and the data of Rolland Morris and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Both groups performed all therapeutic sessions for 50 minutes, three times a week. Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found just on time to trunk flexion and extension, right and left lateral trunk, pain and abdominal strength. However, significant differences on time (p<0.05) was found on Rolland Morris and Oswestry data questionaries parameters just on C group, additionally the values of C group were lower than K group after treatment. Conclusion: Both kinesiotherapy isolated and association of crocheting and kinesiotherapy were useful to improve functional parameters, however the data from Rolland Morris and Oswestry questionaries were lower just on crocheting associated to kinesiotherapy group indicating increment on function of lumbar spine and decrease on pain during achievement of daily life.

Assessment of Lower Body and Abdominal Strength in Professional Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to evaluate abdominal strength in professional soccer players and compare the findings to their lower body strength. An observational design was used to examine abdominal and lower body strength using two functional performance tests (a lower body isokinetic test and an isometric abdominal test, respectively). One hundred and thirty-two professional male soccer players from Cyprus’s first and second divisions participated in this study. Testing included three and twenty-five maximal concentric flexion and extension repetitions at angle speeds of 60°/s (degrees/second) and 300°/s, respectively. On a separate occasion, participants completed two trials on an isometric device (ABTEST Gen. 3 system) for evaluation of abdominal strength. At both isokinetic speeds of 300°/s and 60°/s, abdominal strength had low to moderate significant correlations (p < .05) with quadriceps and hamstring strength. Coefficients of determination (R2) demonstrated that the variability in isokinetic variables accounted for only 14-16% of the variability of abdominal strength. Abdominal strength appears to be high in professional soccer players, but is not dependent on the sports level and/or a playing position. The results of this study demonstrate that abdominal strength and knee joint strength need to be evaluated separately.

Effect of Plyometric Training on Strength Endurance of Male Hostel Students

The purpose of the present study was to find out the effect of plyometric training on strength endurance of young male hostel students. To achieve the purpose twenty (n = 20) young male students were selected as subjects and their age ranged between 18 and 25 years. They were divided into two equal groups, each group consisted of ten (n = 10) subjects. The group I underwent plyometric training (PTG), and group II acted as a control (CG) who did not exposed any special training apart from their regular activities. The training period for this study was limited to five days in a week for eight weeks. Abdominal strength endurance was selected as a criterion variable of this study and it was measured by using bent knee sit-ups. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied as a statistical tool. In all cases 0.05 level of confidence was fixed to test the significance, which was considered as an appropriate. It was concluded from the result of the study that there was a significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) due to plyometric training on abdominal strength endurance as compared to control group.

Valores de Condición Física relacionada con la Salud en adolescentes de 14 a 17 años; relación con el estado de peso (Values of Health-related Physical Fitness in adolescents from 14 to 17 years of age; relationship with the weight status)

El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar valores percentiles de la batería COFISA según el género y, su relación con el estado de peso. Es un estudio descriptivo con 1037 adolescentes (508 varones y 529 mujeres; 15,52 ± 1,11 años). La prueba MANOVA reflejó diferencias a favor de los varones a excepción de la flexibilidad y el estado de peso en normopeso, donde las mujeres hallaron un mejor rendimiento físico. Con el avance de la edad se observa un incremento progresivo del nivel de condición física global. En la relación entre el estado de peso, coordinación y condición física según el sexo, los varones en normopeso mostraron mayores promedios que sus pares en sobrepeso y obesidad. Cabe destacar que el grupo en obesidad mostró valores más elevados en coordinación. Por su parte, las mujeres en normopeso obtuvieron registros superiores en fuerza manual y coordinación respecto al grupo en sobrepeso y obesidad, siendo el grupo en sobrepeso quien mostró registros superiores en abdominales, resistencia cardiovascular, flexibilidad, condición física global y coordinación respecto al grupo con normopeso; y en flexibilidad y coordinación en relación al grupo con obesidad, siendo el grupo con obesidad quien mostró valores más elevados en fuerza abdominal. En conclusión, este estudio proporciona percentiles actualizados que permiten evaluar la condición física relacionada con salud en adolescentes con el fin de identificar a aquellos en riesgo de enfermedades crónicas importantes, así como evaluar los efectos de intervenciones alternativas en este grupo etario.Abstract. The objective of this study was to provide gender-specific percentile values of the COFISA test, and their relation to weight status. This is a descriptive study with 1,037 adolescents (508 boys and 529 girls, 15.52 ± 1.11 years old). The MANOVA test showed differences in favor of boys, with the exception of flexibility and weight status in normal weight, where girls were found with a better physical performance. With increased age, a progressive rise in the level of overall fitness was observed. In the relationship between weight status, coordination, and physical fitness by gender, normal-weight boys showed higher averages than their overweight and obese peers. It should be noted that the obesity group showed higher values in coordination. Regarding girls, the normal-weight ones obtained higher scores in manual strength and coordination than the overweight and obese group, with the overweight group showing higher scores in abdominal strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, overall physical condition, and coordination compared to the group with normal weight; and in flexibility and coordination compared to the group with obesity. The obesity group showed higher scores in abdominal strength. In conclusion, this study provides updated percentiles that allow the evaluation of health-related physical fitness in adolescents so to identify those at risk of major chronic diseases, as well as to evaluate the effects of alternative interventions in this age group.